Losing or forgetting your Apple ID password can be a frustrating experience, locking you out of essential Apple services like iCloud, App Store, and Apple Music. Fortunately, Apple provides multiple ways to recover or find your password, ensuring you regain access to your account quickly and securely. This guide will walk you through proven methods to find your Apple ID password, even if you’ve completely forgotten it.
One of the easiest ways to retrieve a saved Apple ID password is by checking your Apple devices. If you’ve previously saved your password on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, it might be readily accessible within your device settings.
Check Saved Passwords on Your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch:
If you have iCloud Keychain enabled, your Apple ID password might be saved within your iOS or iPadOS device. Here’s how to check:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Scroll down and tap Passwords. You might be prompted to authenticate using Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode.
- In the Passwords section, search for “appleid.apple.com” or simply “Apple ID”.
- If you find an entry for your Apple ID, tap on it.
- Tap on the password field. You may need to authenticate again to reveal the password.
If you find your Apple ID password here, make sure to note it down in a safe place.
Check Saved Passwords on Your Mac:
Similar to iOS devices, macOS also offers Keychain Access to store and manage your passwords. To find your Apple ID password on your Mac:
- Open Keychain Access. You can find it by searching in Spotlight (Command + Space) or navigating to Applications > Utilities > Keychain Access.
- In Keychain Access, ensure “Passwords” is selected in the left sidebar under “Category”.
- In the search bar at the top right, type “appleid.apple.com” or “Apple ID”.
- Double-click on the “appleid.apple.com” entry (or the relevant Apple ID entry).
- Check the box next to “Show Password”. You will be prompted to enter your Mac administrator password to reveal the Apple ID password.
If your password is listed in Keychain Access, this is the quickest way to recover it.
Using Browser Password Managers:
Many web browsers, such as Safari, Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, offer built-in password management features. If you used a browser to sign in to an Apple website (like appleid.apple.com) and opted to save your password, it might be stored in your browser’s password manager.
For Safari:
- Open Safari on your Mac.
- Go to Safari in the menu bar, then select Settings (or Preferences in older macOS versions).
- Click on the Passwords tab.
- Authenticate with your Touch ID or Mac administrator password if prompted.
- Search for “appleid.apple.com” in the search bar.
- Click on the website entry to view the saved Apple ID password.
For Chrome:
- Open Google Chrome.
- Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner to open the Chrome menu.
- Go to Passwords or Autofill and passwords > Password Manager.
- Search for “appleid.apple.com” in the “Search passwords” field.
- Click the “eye” icon next to the Apple ID entry to reveal the password. You might need to enter your computer password for verification.
For other browsers (Firefox, Edge): The process is generally similar. Look for “Passwords” or “Saved Passwords” in the browser’s settings or preferences, and then search for “appleid.apple.com”.
Resetting Your Apple ID Password:
If you cannot find your password using the methods above, or if you suspect your password has been compromised, resetting your Apple ID password is the most secure option. Apple provides a straightforward password reset process:
- Go to the Apple ID account recovery page: iforgot.apple.com.
- Enter your Apple ID (usually your email address).
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your password. Apple offers several options for password reset, including:
- Using your trusted phone number: Apple will send a verification code to your trusted phone number, which you can use to reset your password.
- Using another Apple device: If you have another device signed in with your Apple ID, you might be able to reset your password from that device.
- Account Recovery: If other options are not available, you can initiate account recovery. This process might take a few days as Apple verifies your identity.
Contacting Apple Support:
If you encounter issues during the password reset process or need further assistance, Apple Support is readily available to help. You can contact Apple Support through their website or the Apple Support app. They can guide you through account recovery or provide alternative solutions based on your specific situation.
Finding your Apple ID password doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By checking saved passwords on your devices and browsers, or by utilizing Apple’s password reset tools, you can quickly regain access to your Apple account and services. Remember to choose a strong, unique password and store it securely once you’ve recovered or reset it to prevent future issues.
